Alexa Support Now Available on DISH Network DVRs

Back at CES in January, DISH Network announced plans to add Alexa support to its Hopper DVR line. Now that plan has come to fruition. DISH customers who own a Hopper or Wally set-top box can now control their device via voice commands, when they mate their system with an Amazon Echo, Dot, or other Alexa device. You can ask Alexa to navigate channels; play, pause, fast-forward, or rewind content; and perform a universal search.

From DISH NetworkDISH is changing the way that people watch TV with Amazon Alexa. Available now, DISH customers with a Hopper or Wally and an Amazon Echo, Echo Dot or Amazon Tap can watch hands-free TV with Alexa. DISH is the first TV provider to offer direct compatibility with Amazon Alexa.

"Hopper and Alexa introduce next-level convenience that redefines the way TV fits into our lives," said Niraj Desai, DISH vice president of product management. "Instantly, it's easier to read player stats on your phone while flipping between basketball games; to chop ingredients in the kitchen while rewinding a TV scene you just missed; to snack on popcorn while searching for your favorite film - the list goes on."

"Customers love the convenience of interacting with their smart homes via Alexa, and now that includes live TV on DISH," said Rob Pulciani, Director Amazon Alexa. "With DISH's skill for Alexa, changing the channel, pausing, rewinding and searching for content will be as simple as asking Alexa via an Echo family device. We think this is a big step forward for the television experience, and that customers will love this new voice functionality on DISH."

Just ask Alexa for hands-free TV on DISHUsers with an Internet-connected Hopper (any generation) or Wally can ask Alexa to navigate, play, pause, fast-forward, rewind and search content based on channel, title, actor or genre. Universal search functionality works across DISH's live, recorded and on-demand titles, as well as Netflix's selection of TV shows and movies. Below are examples of spoken commands.

"Alexa, change channel to ESPN""Alexa, tune to channel 130""Alexa, go to the History Channel""Alexa, find the Big Bang Theory""Alexa, search for Game of Thrones""Alexa, show me Tom Hanks movies""Alexa, search for comedies""Alexa, play This is Us""Alexa, skip forward""Alexa, rewind 30 seconds""Alexa, pause""Alexa, resume"

How to Set Up Alexa on DISH1. Enable DISH TV in the Alexa app: Open the Alexa app on a mobile device and select Music, Video Books, DISH TV, Enable Skill.

2. Get receiver code: Turn on Internet-connected Hopper or Wally, and go to: Menu, Settings, Amazon Alexa, Get Code. Enter the generated code into the Alexa app and select, Activate. Click Done in the confirmation message.